Concentrated fabric conditioners

ABSTRACT

A fabric conditioner comprising 18 to 50% by weight of a mixture of at least two quaternary ammonium salt components (A) and (B) with the remainder of the conditioner being water and auxiliary agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a conditioner used in the softening offabric.

2. Description of the Background

It is known that washed textiles exhibit unpleasant hardening afterdrying. Moreover, the washing of clothes in modern households inautomatic washing machines and small drying rooms contributes tohardening of the clothes. This hardening is undesired since it adverselyaffects the wear properties of textiles.

It is possible to eliminate handle hardening of this type by treatingthe textiles, after washing, in a rinse bath with cationic substanceswhich contain at least two long-chain, aliphatic moieties. Thesecationic substances are usually prepared in the form of aqueousdispersions which are added to the rinse bath. Up to a concentration of10 to 15%, dispersions of this type can be prepared relatively easily.However, formulations of higher concentrations become viscous orgelatinous after a short storage time and cannot be dispersed in coldwater without gelling. A good concentrated fabric conditioner musttherefore meet the following demands: (i) When formulated it must keepits homogeneity during storage; (ii) Formulations must retain a thinconsistency during the storage time; and (iii) The conditioner mustexhibit good dispersability in cold water.

In order to meet these objectives, solutions have been formulated in thepast as described in EP-B1-0,085,933 and EP-B1-0,094,655, which containthe combination of a fabric conditioner component with one or moredispersion auxiliaries through which the desired properties of theformulation are achieved. Between 15 and 60 percent by weight of adispersion auxiliary, relative to the cationic substance active asfabric conditioner components, are required here.

The use of such large amounts of dispersant makes the conditionerformulations much more expensive or complex so that the advantage ofconcentrates, that is, their normally much less distributionexpenditures is, in part, counteracted again. In addition, theconditioning properties of the raw materials are generally adverselyaffected by large amounts of dispersant. In order to formulate thefabric conditioner concentrates desired, it is therefore necessary, atpresent, to accept a number of disadvantages. A need therefore continuesto exist for a conditioner which can be more advantageously used as aconcentrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a fabricconditioner which is readily free-flowing, even in concentrated form,i.e. up to a 50 per cent by weight aqueous solution, and accomplishesthis objective without the aid of a dispersant.

Briefly, this object and other objects of the invention as hereinafterwill become more readily apparent can be attained by a fabricconditioner which comprises

(a) from 18 to 50 percent by weight of a mixture of at least twoconditioner components comprising 10 to 90 percent by weight of acompound of the formula (A): ##STR1## in which R¹, R² and R³,independently of one another, each are a linear, saturated orunsaturated acyl radical having 8 to 24, preferably 12 to 20, carbonatoms, or hydrogen if two of the groups R¹, R² and R³ are acyl; R⁴, R⁵and R⁶, independently of each another, are hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4,preferably 1 or 2, carbon atoms; R⁷ is alkyl of 1 to 4, preferably 1 or2, carbon atoms, and X is Cl, Br, I, 1/2SO₄, MeOSO₃, (MeO)₂ PO₂,1/2MeOPO₃, (EtO)₂ PO₂, 1/2EtOPO₃ or EtOSO₃, and 90 to 10 percent byweight of at least one compound of the formula (B): ##STR2## in whichR⁴, R⁵, R⁷ and X each have the same meaning as described above, and R⁸is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical having 8 to 24, preferably12 to 20, carbon atoms; R⁹ =R⁷ or a polyalkylene oxide group, and A isO, S, NH or NR, or mixtures thereof, and n represents an integer from 1to 6, preferably 2 or 3, with components (A) and (B) adding up to 100percent by weight; and

(b) water and, where appropriate, further customary auxiliaries, suchas, for example, salts, short-chain alcohols, dyes, perfumes and perfumeemulsifier, making up to 100 percent by weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fabric conditionercontains 25 to 50, in particular 25 to 40, percent by weight of amixture (a) of the two conditioner components (A) and (B).

In a more preferred embodiment, the mixture (a) of the two conditionercomponents comprises 20 to 70, preferably 30 to 60, percent by weight ofa compound of the formula (A) and 80 to 30, preferably 70 to 40, percentby weight of a compound of the formula (B).

The compound of the formula (iii) above of component B preferably issuch that group R⁹ represents a group of the formula: ##STR3## in whichR⁷ has the abovementioned meaning and m represents a number from 1 to 6.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound (iii) ofconditioner component (B) has the formula: ##STR4## in which R⁸, m and Xhave the meanings defined above.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the compound (i) ofconditioner component (B) has the following formula: ##STR5## whereinR⁷, R⁸ and X have the meanings defined above.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound of formulafor the conditioner component (A) is: ##STR6## wherein R¹, R², R³ and Xhave the meanings defined above.

The mixtures which constitute component (a), of at least two conditionercomponents (A) and (B) can be prepared either by simply blending thesecomponents or by blending their nonquaternized precursors withsubsequent common quaternization. They are generally formulated as 75 to95 percent by weight raw materials, it being possible for the remainderup to 100 percent by weight to comprise water or a short-chain alcoholor a mixture of the two. Further additives may be added as desired tocomplete processing within the scope of the invention.

The formulations obtained are readily free-flowing and can be dispersedin cold water.

Fabric conditioners are generally added in a customary manner to thefinal rinse bath via a specific dispenser in the washing machine Sincethe fabric conditioner remains in this dispenser while the entirewashing program proceeds, it is possible that residual amounts ofproduct are not rinsed into the washed clothing, which is particularlythe case of products which have a flow limit, depending on the design ofthe dispenser in the machine and its arrangement in the washing machineSuch problems can be excluded by adding 0.001 to 10 percent by weight,preferably 0.01 to 5 percent by weight, in particular 0.05 to 2 percentby weight, of a dispersion auxiliary, relative to the amount ofsubstances which function as fabric conditioners, to the fabricconditioner concentrates on which the present invention is based.Suitable dispersion auxiliaries are compounds of the formulae C ##STR7##wherein R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸ and n have the meanings defined above and x and ydenote integers between 1 and 80, the sum of x and y being an integerbetween 2 and 80, and B.sup.(-) is the anion of a mineral acid, asulfonic acid, an alkylsulfuric acid, a carboxylic acid or an ethercarboxylic acid.

Suitable compounds (A) can be prepared, for example, fromtrialkanolamines such as triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine,triisobutanolamine, diethanolmonoisopropanolamine, and the like by thereaction of an alkanolamine with fatty acids or fatty acid methyl esterswhich contain an alkyl radical having 8 to 22 C atoms in the acidportion of the molecule. A reaction of this type is described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,867. Examples of suitable fatty acidsfor the reaction with the trialkanolamine include caprylic acid, capricacid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleicacid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, and the like, as well as theunsaturated isomers thereof It is also possible to employ, inparticular, mixtures of the fatty acids mentioned, preferably thenaturally occurring fatty acid mixtures, such as tallow fatty acid,coconut fatty acid, palm oil fatty acid, and the like. The fatty acidsare expediently chosen in the form of their methyl esters for thereaction After this reaction, quaternization is carried out in acustomary manner, for example using a lower alkyl ester of a mineralacid such as dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, methyl iodide, methylchloride, methyl bromide, ethyl chloride, trimethyl phosphate ortriethyl phosphate.

The compound (i) of conditioner component (B) can be prepared byreacting, for example, dialkylenetriamines such as diethylenetriamine,aminopropylethylenediamine or aminobutylethylenediamine, orhydroxyalkylethylenediamines such as 2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine,(2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)ethylene-diamine,3-hydroxypropylethylenediamine or(2-hydroxy-1ethylethyl)ethylenediamine, with fatty acids which aregenerally the same as those used in the preparation of component A,under condensation conditions with subsequent quaternization with theaid of a lower alkyl ester of a mineral acid, as described in greaterdetail for the preparation of component A.

The compound of formula (ii) for conditioner component (B) is obtainedby reacting difattyalkylamines with the lower alkyl esters of mineralacids described above.

Compounds of the formula (iii) for component (B) can be obtained, forexample, by reacting fatty acids, such as those mentioned above, withdialkylenetriamines, or hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines of the typementioned above, which are subsequently ethoxylated and quaternized.

Suitable compounds of component (A) include for example:N-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(stearic acid) ester methylsulfate,N-methyltriisopropanolammoniumdi(stearic acid)ester methylsulfate,N-methyltriisobutanolammoniumdi(stearic acid) ester methylsulfate,N-methyldiethanolmonoisopropanolammoniumdi(stearic acid) methylsulfate,N-methylmonoethanoldiisopropanolammoniumdi(stearic acid) methylsulfate,N-methyltriisopropanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) methylsulfate,N-ethyltriethanolammoniumdi(palmitic acid) chloride,N-ethyltriisopropanolammoniumdi(palm oil fatty acid) chloride,N-methyltriisobutanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) chloride andN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(palmitic fatty acid) ester methylsulfate.

Suitable compounds of formula (i) of component (B) include di(tallowfatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate, di(stearicacid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate, di(oleic acid)alkylimidazoliniummethylsulfate, di(palmitic acid)alkylimidazolinium chloride anddi(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium chloride.

Suitable compounds of the formula (ii) of component (B) include, forexample, distearyldimethylammonium chloride,dipalmityldimethylammoniumchloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride,diarachlydiethylammonium chloride, dimyristyldimethylammoniummethylsulfate, dioleyldiethylammonium chloride, di(tallow fattyalkyl)dimethylammonium chloride and di(hardened tallow fattyalkyl)dimethylammonium chloride.

Suitable compounds of formula (iii) of component (B) includeN-methyl-N-triethoxy-N,N-bis-[2-(tallow fatty amido)ethyl]ammoniummethylsulfate,N-methyl-N-tetraethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(stearylamido)ethyl]ammonium chloride,N-ethyl-N-diethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(oleic acid amido)ethyl]ammonium chloride,and N-propyl-N-pentaethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(palmitylamido)ethyl]ammoniummethylsulfate.

The dispersants of formulas (i) and (ii) of component (C), which areemployed when appropriate, in small amounts., can be prepared in a knownfashion by reacting an alkylamine or the likes with ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, butylene oxide or combinations thereof and subsequentlyreacting (neutralizing) the product with a mineral acid, a carboxylicacid, a sulfonic acid, a polyethercarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof inamounts such that the acid:base equivalents ratio ranges from 0.9 to1.1.

Having generally described this invention, a further understanding canbe obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are providedherein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to belimiting unless otherwise specified

In the examples below, embodiments of fabric conditioners formulationsof the invention are described. In all cases, percentages are percentageby weight. In all cases, the fabric conditioners are produced byinitially preparing tap water at a temperature between 20° and 50° C.,stirring the components specified into the water, and subsequentlystirring until cold, if appropriate. For the properties of theformulations, it is of advantage if the fabric conditioner components A)and B) are employed as a previously prepared mixture, but it is alsopossible, if required, to stir in the individual componentssuccessively.

Example 1

(I) 30% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 5 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 5 parts of di(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate;

(II) 3% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=50 sec⁻¹, 25° C.) 140 mPa s.

Example 2

(I) 30% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 5 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 5 parts of N-methyl-N-polyethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(tallow fattyamido)ethyl]ammonium methylsulfate;

(II) 4% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=100 sec⁻¹, 25 ° C.): 253 mPa s

Example 3

(I) 20% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 5 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 5 parts of di(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate;

(II) 1.2% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=100 sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 15 mPa s.

Example 4

(I) 15% of di(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate,

(II) 15% of N-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) estermethylsulfate stirred in successively;

(III)4of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water (13°hardness (German)), perfume

and a coloring agent to bring the components to 100%. Viscosity (D=50sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 300 mPa s.

Example 5

(I) 40% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 2 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 8 parts of di(tallow fatty acid) alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate;

(II) 4% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=100 sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 260 mPa s.

Flow limit: 5 Pa

Example 6

(I) 25% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 8 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 2 parts of di(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate;

(II) 4% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=100 sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 60 mPa s.

Example 7

(I) 35% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 1 part ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 9 parts of di(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate;

(II) 4% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%

Viscosity (D=100 sec^(-l), 25° C.): 242 mPa s.

ExampIe 8

(I) 20% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 5 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 5 parts of distearyldimethylammonium chloride,

(II) 1.5% of a 25% CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water (13°hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring the componentsto 100%.

Viscosity (D=50 sec⁻¹ , 25° C.): 58 mPa s.

Example 9

(I) 30% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 5 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate, and(ii) 5 parts of N-methyl-N-polyethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(tallow fattyamido)ethyl]ammonium methylsulfate, and (iii) 1% of a dispersantcomprising a molar mixture of oleylamine+40 EO and oleic acid,

(II) 4% Of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=50 sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 85 mPa s.

Example 10

(I) 25% of a conditioner mixture comprising: (i) 2 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 8 parts of N-methyl-N-polyethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(tallow fattyamido)ethyl]ammonium methylsulfate,

(II) 0.7% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder tap water(13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bring thecomponents to 100%.

Viscosity (D=100 sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 57 mPa s.

Example 11

(I) 40% of a conditioner mixture comprising (i) 2 parts ofN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) ester methylsulfate and(ii) 8 parts of di(tallow fatty acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate;and

(II) 0.25% of a dispersant comprising a molar mixture of oleylamine+35EO and laurylalcohol polyglycol ether (10 EO) acetic acid;

(III) 3.5% of a 25% strength CaCl₂ solution; and the remainder

tap water (13° hardness (German)), perfume and a coloring agent to bringthe components to 100%.

Viscosity (D=50 sec⁻¹, 25° C.): 230 mPa s.

Flow limit: 0.2 Pa.

The formulations produced meet the customary demands regardingtemperature stability and shelf life.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventionas set forth herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A fabric conditioner mixture, comprising:(a)18-50% by weight of a mixture of at least two conditioner components (A)and (B), said mixture comprised of 10 to 90% by weight of a compound ofthe formula (A): ##STR8## wherein R¹, R² and R³, independently of oneother are each a linear, saturated or unsaturated acyl radical having 8to 24 carbon atoms, or hydrogen, with the proviso that one of R¹, R² andR³ is hydrogen and two of the groups R¹, R² and R³ must be acyl; R⁴, R⁵and R⁶, independently of each other, are hydrogen or an alkyl radicalhaving 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R⁷ is an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbonatoms; and X is Cl, Br, I, 1/2SO₄, MeOSO₃, (MeO)₂ PO₂, 1/2MeOPO₃, (EtO)₂PO₂, 1/2EtOPO₃ or EtOSO₃ ; and 90to 10 percent by weight of at least onecompound of the formula (B): ##STR9## wherein R⁴, R⁵, and R⁷ and X areas defined above, and R⁸ is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl radicalhaving 8 to 24 carbon atoms, R⁹ =R⁷ or a polyalkylene oxide group, and Ais O, S, or NH, or combinations thereof, and n represents an integerfrom 1 to 6, said components (A) and (B) add up to 100% by weight of themixture of conditioner components; and (b) 82 to 50% by weight waterand, optionally at least one auxiliary which is employable in fabricconditioners, which bring the conditioner formulation up to 100% byweight.
 2. The fabric conditioner according to claim 18, which contains30 to 50 percent by weight of a mixture of the two conditionercomponents (A) and (B).
 3. The fabric conditioner according to claim 1,wherein the mixture (a) of the two conditioner components comprises 20to 70 percent by weight of a compound of the formula (A) and 80 to 30percent by weight of a compound of the formula (B).
 4. The fabricconditioner according to claim 1, wherein, in the compound of formula(iii) of component (B), R⁹ represents a group of the formula ##STR10##in which R⁷ is as defined above and m represents a number from 1 to 6.5. The fabric conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the compound offormula (iii) of component (B) has the structure: ##STR11## in which R⁸,m and X are as defined above.
 6. The fabric conditioner according toclaim 1, wherein the compound of formula (i) of component (B) has thestructure: ##STR12## in which R⁷, R⁸ and X are as defined above.
 7. Thefabric conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the compound ofcomponent (A) has the structure: ##STR13## in which R¹, R², R³ and X areas defined above.
 8. The fabric conditioner according to claim 3,wherein the mixture a) of the two conditioner components comprises 30 to60% by weight of the compound of formula (A) and 70 to 40% by weight ofa compound of formula (B).
 9. The fabric conditioner according to claim1, wherein said composition further comprises 0.001 to 10% by weight ofa dispersion auxiliary.
 10. The fabric conditioner according to claim 9,wherein the amount of said dispersion auxiliary ranges from 0.01 to 5%by weight.
 11. The fabric conditioner according to claim 1, wherein thecompound of formula (A) is N-methyltriethanolammoniumdi (stearic acid)ester methylsulfate, N-methyltriisopropanolammoniumdi(stearic acid)estermethylsulfate, N-methyltriisobutanolammoniumdi-(stearic acid) estermethylsulfate, N-methyldiethanolmonoisopropanolammoniumdi(stearic acid)methylsulfate, N-methylmonoethanoldiisopropanolammoniumdi(stearic acid)methylsulfate, N-methyltriisopropanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid)methylsulfate, N-ethyltriethanolammoniumdi(palmitic acid) chloride,N-ethyltriisopropanolammoniumdi(palm oil fatty acid) chloride,N-methyltriisobutanolammoniumdi(tallow fatty acid) chloride andN-methyltriethanolammoniumdi(palmitic fatty acid) ester methylsulfate.12. The fabric conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the compound offormula (i) of component (B) is di(tallow)fatty acid)alkylimidazoliniummethylsulfate, di(stearic acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate,di(oleic acid)alkylimidazolinium methylsulfate, di(palmiticacid)alkylimidazolinium chloride and di(tallow fattyacid)alkylimidazolinium chloride.
 13. The fabric conditioner accordingto claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (ii) of component (B) isdistearyldimethylammonium chloride, dipalmityldimethylammoniumchloride,dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride, diarachidyldiethylammonium chloride,dimyristyldimethylammonium methylsulfate, dioleyldiethylammoniumchloride, di(tallow fat)dimethylammonium chloride and di(hardened tallowfat)dimethylammonium chloride.
 14. The fabric condition according toclaim 1, wherein the compound of formula (iii) of component (B) isN-methyl-N-triethoxy-N,N-bis-[2-(tallow fatty amido)ethyl]ammoniummethylsulfate,N-methyl-N-tetraethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(stearylamido)ethyl]ammonium chloride,N-ethyl-N-diethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(oleic acid amido)ethyl]ammonium chloride,and N-propyl-N-pentaethoxy-N,N-bis[2-(palmitylamido)ethyl]ammoniummethylsulfate.
 15. The fabric conditioner according to claim 9,comprising at least one dispersion auxiliary of the formula ##STR14##wherein R⁴, R⁵, R⁷ and R⁸ are as defined above and x and y each is aninteger ranging from 1 to 80 with the sum of x and y being between 2 and80 and B is an anion.